Wearable shipments to see 129% growth

Shipments of wearable devices are set to explode 129 percent in 2014 amid a slew of new products slated to come to market, according to CCS Insight's new global forecast.

Wearable shipments will hit 22 million next year, up from 9.7 million in 2013 and will continue to grow to 135 million in 2018. Cumulative sales of wearable technology over the next five years will reach 370 million.

Fitness and health-focused devices are the fastest growing categories and the Christmas gift season will help boost sales of the technology, CCS Insight predicts.

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Samsung Galaxy Gear at the 2014 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

"Wearables are poised to be the perfect gift for the person who has everything this Christmas. We believe this will fuel strong growth in the final quarter of 2014 for smart bands, particularly fitness trackers, which will account for more than half of the 35 million wearables in use at end of 2014," Marina Koytcheva, CCS Insight's director of forecasting said in a press release.

Smartwatch rise

Major technology giants have turned their attention to the smart connected wearable device space in an attempt to get first mover advantage. Samsung's Galaxy Gear range as well as Google Glass have looked to tap the market, though the technology is still in its infancy.

It is no surprise that smartwatches have been in focus. Over half of wearables sold in 2018 will be smartwatches, according to CCS Insight, and will eventually replace fitness bands as the most popular device as the features become more refined and prices fall.

"Every category faces different risks: the way people use wearables is still changing, one type of device could kill sales in another category, people are unsure whether some wearables are socially acceptable, and intellectual property rights are a minefield for the dozens of start-ups entering the wearables market."

Apple iWatch gamechanger?

Consumers are also keeping an eye on Apple as it is rumored to be released the hotly anticipated iWatch this year. Apple's entrance to the wearable space could be put to bed some of the image issues associated with wearable tech, Koytcheva added.

"The market could be changed beyond recognition if a major player like Apple decides to get into the game. History shows us that when Apple enters a market it can reshape the way people think about a product."